So... You think you know about John Calvin, do you? I am amazed by the number of "Calvinists" (and other Reformed groups) who know absolutely diddly squat about their name sake. Let us learn some facts about this "hero" of the faith, shall we?
- Contrary to Calvin's position, the early Christians taught that the moral teachings of Jesus SURPASSED the moral teachings of the Old Testament. His teachings went to the core of the Law and tapped its true spiritual meaning. The 10 Commandments are for an earthly kingdom, but the teachings of the New Testament are for a heavenly kingdom. The early Church applied Jesus' teachings literally.
- Calvin and Luther resurrected some of the forgotten Augustinian theology. They both borrowed several of his teachings, including "holy war."
- Calvin wrote his systematic theology to ensure his interpretation of Scripture would dominate. Calvin's writings do not constitute the historic "institutes" of Christianity!
- Calvin's system undermined Jesus' message of the Kingdom.
- Calvin taught that instead of God's covenant being exclusively with one nation, it can now be with every nation. (No doubt this is what Americans believe about themselves.)
- According to Calvin, God's moral law is still the same law as that found in the Old Testament.
- The system Calvin set up was not historic Christianity, but essentially Christo-Judaism. Jesus' teachings about the Kingdom cannot be combined with any other kingdom.
- The most obvious things in Scripture are hidden from the "wise." The Reformation completely hid the Kingdom of God from the people.
- Calvin's commentaries muffled God's Word. He shaped Scripture to fit his theological system.
- Calvin had no hesitancy to explain away Jesus' words when they did not fit his system.
- Calvin often plagiarized Augustine.
- Calvin had Michael Servetus arrested and put to death for no other reason than holding an erroneous view of the Trinity. Calvin watched with satisfaction as Servetus was burned alive and writhed in pain.
- Calvin believed that executing some unrepentant heretics was justifiable.
- Calvin believed that the Eucharist provides an undoubted assurance of eternal life.
- Calvin believed it was acceptable to lambaste his opponents with vicious names.
- Calvin believed that some of the Old Testament capital offences should be enforced today.
- Calvin believed that Jewish people were impious, inauthentic, and lacked common sense.
These things sound like the sort of things that Saul would have done before his conversion. They certainly are not the sort of things that converted Paul would have engaged in. These are not the behaviours of a genuine Christian.